Role of the Laser in Dermatology - Tapa dura

Use of lasers in dermatology is increasing since their utilization can reduce the after surgery care and therefore hospitalization that patients require. Such laser surgery is especially useful in the treatment of complaints such as birth marks. It is also used in cosmetic surgery and has proved effective in the removal of tattoos. "Practical Aspects of the Laser in Dermatology" draws on over 20 years of experience from the author whose clinic has successfully treated more than 20,000 cases of cutaneous lesions using laser surgery. The book offers a total reference source for theoretical and practical applications and a wide range of full colour illustrated case reports. It should also encourage the reader to develop their own techniques.

The Role of the Laser in Dermatology: An Atlas, Toshio Ohshiro, Keio University, School of Medicine and Japan Medical Laser Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan
With contributions from John Carruth, Kouichi Ohmaru and Mario Trelles The naevus, or birthmark, and other dermatological lesions have presented a major problem to the plastic and reconstructive surgeon and dermatologist for many years. The development of the medical laser in the early 1960s gave the clinician a new tool with which to treat these disturbing and distressing conditions. Dr Toshio Ohshiro, a pioneer of the application of the laser in dermatology and plastic surgery, has drawn on his years of experience in treating over 23000 cases of naevi with surgical laser and other methodologies, together with a further 19000 cases in which he had used laser therapy either on its own or with laser surgery, to put together a comprehensive volume which concentrates on the clinical applications of the laser. This volume begins by delving into the history of medicine and surgery; the historical background of plastic and reconstructive surgery; the psychotherapeutic aspects of dermatological surgery; and in particular the naevus and its removal or obliteration by the various types of laser interactions including photodestruction, photoactivation or a combination of these plus any appropriate conventional methods. The author then discusses case reports which start out by concentrating on those naevi encompassed by the blood vessel anomaly group with some novel concepts such as the different classifications of heamangioma simplex classified by depth and a point-by-point method for the treatment of troublesome spider naevi. The melanin anomaly group is then tackled with some excellent treatment parameters for amongst others naevus spilus, naevus cell naevus and for such difficult-to-treat naevi as Ohta's naevus. It concludes with miscellaneous lesions, such as keloids, hypertrophic scarring and tattoos. All these sections describe conventional treatment methodology in addition to the laser, and where required a combination of laser with laser or laser with conventional methodology is advocated. Designed primarily to provide a thorough understanding in the clinical applications of laser treatment in dermatology and plastic surgery, this comprehensive and well-illustrated volume will appeal to a large range of readers, including dermatologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, laser therapy specialists and allied health professionals and medical students.

"...a great and colourful book, a chef d'oeuvre of dermatological text books." --Leon Goldman, MD, United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA, and Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

"...one of the finest textbooks concerning the use of lasers in medicine." --Francis A. L'Esperance Jr., MD Columbia University, New York, USA